Name of the Band/Act: Mary Taylor Brooks
When did band form: 1992
Members: Mary Taylor Brooks – Lead Vocals/Guitar/Piano/Harmonica; Doug Bukovac – Lead Guitar; Danny McFadden – Vocals/Lead Guitar; Janet McFadden – Bass; Bob Burdecki – Vocals/Saxaphone/Flute; Jim Dudash – Drums.
About the band: Music was a part of Mary Taylor Brooks’ as she was growing up in Willowick, Ohio, and by the time she was 8 years old she knew that she wanted to be a performer. She taught herself how to play guitar, piano and harmonica and by the time she was 18, was performing as a solo act. She formed her first band back in 1992, while in Las Vegas, and had the opportunity to work at the Sands Casino opening shows for Lola Falana, John Byner, Sid and Marty Krofft Puppets, Salt-N-Pepa. She is also a gifted songwriter and has performed her original material at Nashville Songwriter’s Festivals and at Loretta Lynn’s Songwriter Festival in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
She has recorded her self-penned tunes on three previous albums and is working currently on her fourth. In the studio, Brooks was joined by musicians that included Geroge Strait’s fiddle player, Gene Elders; Asleep at the Wheel’s former pedal steel player, John Ely and Bo Roberts, who has credits as a songwriter and guitar player with Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.
After 20 years in Las Vegas, Brooks moved back to Ohio in 2009 and started to sit in on jam nights. She formed a four-piece band with Bukavec, but wanted to take their show to another level. By 2016, the band had grown to six members and have been playing all over Northeast Ohio including a show at this year’s Painesville Party in the Park.
Brooks will be hosting the Great Country Night at Brother’s Lounge every Tuesday starting September 5. She will perform as a solo act for these shows and will also invite two local singers each week to join her in the Wine Bar at the legendary Cleveland music venue.
Why you should see their show: Brooks has stated how blessed she is with the talent that surrounds her in the band. If you have ever seen them perform, you quickly realize why. The members cover an eclectic mix of music ranging from country, rock and roll, rockabilly and blues and do it with a comfort level that is only achieved through experience. Their set list contains originals along with classic songs from everyone from Patsy Cline and Reba McEntire to Dwight Yoakam and Johnny Cash.
Websites/Socials/Videos: You can follow Mary Taylor Brooks on Facebook and Twitter, as well as on her website MaryTaylorBrooks.com.
Upcoming Dates: Friday, September 1 at Bone Daddy’s Saloon in Painesville, Ohio; Saturday, September 9 at Amvet Riders Benefit at the Mentor Headlands; Sunday, September 24 at Harpersfield Winery in Geneva and Friday, October 20 at Brother’s Lounge in Cleveland. Mary Taylor Brooks will also be performing and hosting the Great Country Night at Brother’s Lounge every Tuesday night starting September 5.
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